Electric baseball game

ABSTRACT

AN ELECTRIC TYPE BASEBALL BOARD GAME WHICH CAN BE UTILIZED FOR AMUSEMENT PURPOSES. THE GAME INCLUDES A PLAYING FIELD REPRESENTATION, TOGETHER WITH LIGHTS FOR INDICATING PLAYS ON THE BOARD. OFFENSE AND DEFENSE PANELS ARE PROVIDED, EACH INCLUDING SWITCHES FOR INITIATING PLAYS OF THE GAME. CHANCE CIRCUITRY IS PROVIDED INTERCONNECTING THE SWITCHES OF THE OFFENSE AND DEFENSE PANELS, AND THE INDICATOR LIGHTS. OPERATION AND DEFENSE PANELS, AND OFFENSE AND DEFENSE SWITCHES CAUSES SELECTED ONES OF THE CIRCUITRY, TO INDICATE THE RESULT OF A GIVEN PLAY. A SHUNT CIRCUIT IS PROVIDED TO REVIEW AND INDICATE WHICH OF THE OFFENSE SWITCHES HAVE BEEN SELECTED ON ANY GIVEN PLAY.

Sept. 20, 1971 u. WILSON ELECTRIC BASEBALL GAME 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 8, 1969 m 325 N 35 $32; L w- I w 5512 m 3.5: v m 9.8 3 2 Y U252 INVENTOR HAROLD U. WILSON BY (M 'ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,606,329 ELECTRIC BASEBALL GAME Harold U. Wilson, 1630 Dartford Road, Baltimore, Md. 21221 Filed Apr. 8, 1969, Ser. No. 814,315 Int. Cl. A63f 7/06 US. Cl. 273-88 8 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An electric type baseball board game which can be utilized for amusement purposes. The game includes a playing field representation, together with lights for indicating plays on the board. Offense and defense panels are provided, each including switches for initiating plays of the game. Chance circuitry is provided interconnecting the switches of the olfense and defense panels, and the indicator lights. Operation of selected ones of the offense and defense switches causes selected ones of the indicator lights to light, in accordance with the chance circuitry, to indicate the result of a given play. A shunt circuit is provided to review and indicate which of the offense switches have been selected on any given play.

This invention relates generally to amusement devices, and more particularly it pertains to a game board wherein two opposing players attempt to outguess the intent of the other.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a game of baseball is simulated by a representation of a baseball field. The plays and the status of the game are registered by indicator lamps appropriately placed in the field and on the diamond. Oppositely positioned switch panels are 'provided for the opposing players to set up action and counteraction in secrecy.

Then the general rules for baseball apply as the lighted lamps indicate the result which can realistically be tallied on the representation of the playing field.

The principal object of this invention, therefore, is to provide a novel game apparatus which combines the elements of skill and luck in an entertaining realistic manner.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel electrical type baseball game in which two players attempt to outguess the other.

To provide an electric baseball game board which closely follows the manner of play of baseball and represents by scoreboard and miniature depiction the results thereof, is yet another object of the invention.

Other objects and attendant advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent and understood from the detailed specification and accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a game board incorporating features of this invention;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are respective elevations of the defense and offense playing panels for the game board of FIG. 1, and

FIG. 4 is a schematic circuit diagram showing the electric circutry for the baseball game segregated into four groups; namely, Delivery, Score, Steal, and Mode and Talley.

Referring now to the details of the invention, the playing board of FIG. 1 comprises the top of a deep box so as to conceal and protect the wiring therebelow. A play-registering group of green-colored indicator lights, L-1 through L-6 inclusive, are mounted in the field. A diamond 12 is depicted by runways and plates as in the game of baseball. The field bases at the corners of the diamond 12 are represented by small white talley lights with impulse switches 14 by which runners are represented occupying the bases.

The pitchers box is represented by a large red indicator light L7. Homeplate has a group of three small white lights; a STRIKE light L10, a CONTACT light L-11 and a BALL light L-12. Intermediate the pitchers box and homeplate locations, there is provided another small white light L-9 to indicate a PITCH.

At one side of the diamond 12, a white BUNT light L-8 is located and on the other side, small white lights L-13, L-14 and L15 marked, respectively, STEAL, SAFE, and OUT, are grouped.

The field end of the box has a DEFENSE panel 16 shown in FIG. 2 is provided with a single pole ON-OFF toggle switch TOG-2 and a double-pole, double-throw center off toggle switch TOG-1 marked STEAL. Six double-pole, single-throw slide switches S-la to S'6a inclusive, are grouped at one side and are designated, respectively, with numerals 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. A pair of three-circuit-closing pushbuttons PB-1 and PB-Z marked, respectively, STRIKE and BALL are grouped adjacent a designation, PITCHER. The remaining item on the panel 16 is a single-pole, normally-open, red-colored pushbutton PB5 marked CHECK.

The OFFENSE panel 18, shown in FIG. 3, is provided wth a group of six double-pole, double-throw slide switches S1 to 8-6 inclusive, designated respectively 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. Centrally located, there is a centeroif, spring-return, double-pole, double-throw lever switch LEV-1 marked SWING above and REFUSE below. A pair of three-circuit closing pushbuttons PB-3 and PB-4 are marked with the single designation STEAL at the right of the panel 18. A single-pole slide switch 8-8, marked BUNT, and a red-colored pushbutton, singlepole, normally-open pushbutton PB-6 marked CHECK, complete the items on panel 18.

With reference to FIG. 4, the electrical circuitry will become clear with the following description of the playing of the game.

The players position the game between them; the pitcher player facing the DEFENSE panel 16, and the batter player facing the OFFENSE panel 18. To begin the game, the 6-volt battery B is turned ON with switch TOG-2. The pitcher simulates pitching a ball by pushing one of the pushbuttons STRIKE or BALL, PB-l or PB2, respectively (see the delivery group of the wiring in FIG. 4). He thus chooses whether to pitch a good or bad pitch. The PITCH light L-9 on the diamond 12 lights in either case.

The batter responds by throwing hislever switch LEV- 1 to SWING or to REFUSE at his choice. If the pitcher is still depressing the STRIKE pushbutton PB-l at this time, and the batter has chosen the SWING condition with LEV-1, the CONTACT light L 11 is lighted. The STRIKE light L-10 lights if he has chosen to REF'USE the STRIKE pitch. He receives a S'I RIKE indication on light L-10 if he decides to SWING and the pitcher has chosen to press BALL pushbutton PB-Z instead. Should the batter guess correctly the latter BALL condition by responding with REFUSE on his lever switch LEV-1, the BALL light L-12 indicates. The strikes and balls are counted as in baseball.

When the CONTACT light L11 has been signaled, the batter makes a decision as to where he wants the ball to go. This is done by his selecting and throwing one of the six slide switches 8-1 to S6 (see the score group of FIG. 4). In elfect, this is setting up wiring in readiness for lighting the associated one of six green indicator lights L-l to L6. The latter are marked SINGLE 1, SINGLE 2, SINGLE 3, DOUBLE 4, TRIPLE 5 and HOME RUN 6, correspondingly.

The pitcher replies to this by choosing three of his slide switches SIa to S-6a. If one of these three is in con nection with the offense or batters selected one (both up in the score group of the schematic FIG. 4), the red OUT light L7 becomes connected to PB-S, the CHECK pushbutton on the defensive or pitchers panel 16. Thus, when the pitcher depresses CHECK, PB-S, the batter is OUT, L7. Also lighting on the CHECK is the indication on the appropriate green light L-1 to L6 showing the choice made by the batter with the particular switch S1 to S6 which set up this play.

If the offense (batter) wishes to check which three switches, and no more, the offense (pitcher) has thrown to oppose him, he presses his CHECK button PB-6, having first returned all his switches back to normal. This results in the green lights Ll to L6 indicating which switches Sla to S6a were used by the pitcher in the defensive action just recited.

If none of the three thrown switches of Sla to 8-661 picked up by the pitcher correspond to the one closed switch S1 to -6 used by the batter, the circuitry is such that the pitchers CHECK with PB5 omits the indication of red OUT light L7 there-fore, the batter is safe on his choice.

The appropriate action of placing the runner on base is done by a tally light and switch 14 at the base corners of the diamond '12. It is lighted on one push and extinguished on the next and has no other circuitry.

The offense may attempt to steal if there is a man on first base and second base is unoccupied. The steal begins after the PITCH light L9 lights. The offensive player pushes either of the two STEAL pushbuttons PB3 or PB4 holding it until he has taken SWING or REFUSE action with his lever switch LEV-1. The defense (pitcher) should leave that PITCH light L9 lit until the batter has actuated LEV-1 to SWING or to REFUSE.

If this PITCH light L9 would blink off before the batter acts, this would be considered a ball. While the STEAL button PB-3 or PB4 is depressed and the batter receives CONTACT, light L-11, then the steal is nullified and the pnshbutton PB-3 (or PB-4) may be released.

If the batter receives a ISTRIKE or BALL indication, the STEAL button PB-3 (or PB4) should be held down and the defense responds by throwing his STEAL toggle switch TOG1 to either direction. Depending upon the match between PB-3 (or PB-4) and the direction of TOG-1, a SAFE light L14 or an OUT light L15 is lighted.

The offense may choose to BUNT by so closing the switch S8 and illuminating the BUNT indicating light LS shown in the mode and tally group in the schematic of FIG, 4. This may be before or after the pitch by the pitcher. The batter responds as previously related in connection with the score group of circuitry, but in order to get the bunt allowed, he must also get CONTACT and then try for a SINGLE, i.e., on one of S1, S2 or 8-3. The defense then replies by the blocking action of throwing two of his switches Sla, rS-Za, or S-3a. Since this is a bunt, it would have to be a single; therefore, to recapitulate, the BUNT light L-8 only indicates that the aforesaid three switches are to be used by both teams in this play. If the batter is OUT with red light L7 indicating, the green light L-l, L2 or L3 shows which area he had attempted to bunt. A runner on first base tallied by L14 from a previous play may be sacrificed to second on this out with appropriate transfer of the tally light.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

What is claimed is:

1. An electric board-game, comprising: game board means for plural players, including a playing field representation and means for indicating plays thereon; offense panel means and defense panel means, including means on each said panel for initiating plays in said game;

chance circuiting responsive to correlation of operation of said offense panel play initiating means with the opera tion of said defense panel play initiating means, for comprising said plays; means for completing said chance circuitry through said indicating means to reveal coincidence in said circuitry by said indicating means; and a shunt circuit actuated by said completing means for reviewing and indicating the disposition of the play initiating means.

2. An electric board-game as recited in claim 1 wherein said indicating means includes light means for visibly displaying results of said play initiations on said gameboard.

3. An electric board-game as recited in claim 1, wherein said play initiating means includes a plurality of switch means on each said panel means.

4. An electric board-game as recited in claim 1, wherein said chance circuitry includes interconnections between said indicating means and said play initiating means on said offense panel means and between said play initiating means on said offense panel means and said defense panel means.

5. An electric board-game as recited in claim 1, wherein said completing means includes a check switch which when closed completes one circuit through at least said indicating means and said play initiating means of said offense panel means.

6. An electric board-game as recited in claim 1, said game comprising preliminary play initiating means on each said panel means, preliminary indicating means on said game board and circuit means operable upon coincidental operation of said preliminary play initiating means and independently of said chance circuitry to display results of said preliminary play initiations on said preliminary indicating means.

7. An electric board-game as recited in claim 6, wherein said game comprises a baseball game, said preliminary play initiating means includes switching means on said defense panel means to initiate a pitching play of strike or ball and switching means on said offense panel means to initiate a batting play of swing or refuse to swing; said play initiating means includes switching means on said oifense panel means for selecting a batting play of single, double, triple and home run, and said switching means on said defense panel means for selecting a defense to a batting play of single, double, triple and home run.

8. An electric board-game as recited in claim 7, comprising at least two switches on said offense panel means independently selectable to initiate an offensive play of stea means for indicating the operation of any one of said two steal switches, switching means on said defense panel means operably connectable with either of said two steal switches, means responsive to the connecting together of one of said two steal switches and said operably connectable switching means for indicating said offensive play of steal as out, and means responsive to the non-coincidence of the connecting of said operated one of said two steal switches and said operably connected switching means Which would normally indicate out for indicating said non-coincidence by indicating said ofiensive play of steal as safe.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,888,537 11/1932 Mayorga 27388 2,258,272 10/ 1941 Alexander 27388 2,495,620 1/ 1950 Werle et al 27388 2,665,910 1/1954 Hntchins 27388 2,883,193 4/1959 Iannone et al 27388 RICHARD C. PINKHAM, Primary Examiner P. E. SHAPIRO, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 2731E 

